Madeline (Maddy) Temchin and four Bayonne High School Interact students attended Bayonne Rotary’s weekly breakfast meeting so that they could hear firsthand from Ray Hough the latest developments in the Gift of Life program. The Bayonne HS Rotary Interact Club will be raising money for GOL at its Annual Craft & Vendors Fair, which will be open to the public when held on Nov. 16, 1 to 5 p.m. in the BHS Main Gym.

A Rotary Interact Club is for youth ages 12-18 who want to connect with others in their community or school. Interact club members have fun while carrying out service projects and learning about the world. Interact clubs organize at least two service projects a year: one that benefits their community and one that encourages international understanding. While Interact clubs receive guidance from individual Rotary clubs, they govern and support themselves.

Maddy asked for support from the community by participating as a vendor and purchasing a table space for $25, donating a door prize, or making a tax-deductible donation.

At or about 2 p.m., Oct. 29, a bicyclist was observed pedaling on the active roadway of the Bayonne Bridge, Staten Island bound. When the subject reached the New York Plaza toll booth, Port Authority Police found that the suspect had an active warrant from Manhattan, from approximately one year ago. That warrant was generated because the subject failed to appear when he was issued a summons in Manhattan for riding his bicycle on the sidewalk, thus an arrest warrant was issued. Port Authority police issued the suspect a summons for riding a bicycle on a highway. He was placed under arrest, taken into custody, and transported to Manhattan for the active arrest warrant. The suspect’s name is Prentiss Campbell, 33, of Norway Avenue in Staten Island, said Joe Pentangelo, spokesperson for the Port Authority.

Former Bayonne man found burned to death

The body of a former Bayonne man, reportedly burned to death, was found along a bike path in the Delaware & Raritan Canal State Park on Nov. 4. According to a report in the Asbury Park Press, William “Bill” Murphy was found after a passerby reported seeing a man on fire at about 9:45 a.m. Murray was a Linden High School teacher but grew up in Bayonne, graduating from Bayonne High School and attending William Paterson University, Farleigh Dickinson University, Saint Peter’s University, Harvard University, and Seton Hall University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, as well as several graduate degrees. He also served in the military and was a prominent figure in the teaching of ROTC. Over the years, he worked for various governmental agencies including the Hudson County court, and as an assistant justice planner for Jersey City as well as other agencies elsewhere in New Jersey.

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1981 in response to Iran’s taking of hostages and earned his officer’s commission a year later. He served for 22 years in active duty.

Circumstances surrounding his death are still being investigated, according to published reports.

Filipino-American Church to host Neighborhood Appreciation Day

On Saturday, Nov.16 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Filipino-American Church of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo is hosting a Neighborhood Appreciation Day (NAD). Relatively new to Bayonne, the community is using this as a way of introducing itself.

This Filipino church though still small with slightly more than 250 active members will open its doors to the community, not only to Bayonne residents but to the neighboring towns and cities. This event will offer free medical screenings, entertainment, and refreshments for kids and adults. Visitors will also be able to tour the facility.

The Church of Christ or Iglesia Ni Cristo is located on Avenue E. The building was an old Ukrainian Hall, which its membership purchased several years ago and are looking to renovate shortly.